How to Braze Air Conditioning Copper
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ธ.ค. 2024
- Attention Service Technicians and Installers! In this video Bryan explains How to Braze Air Conditioning Copper.
Harris Brazing Guide: www.harrisprod...
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Good Job 👌🏾
My air conditioner would not stop
I did this today. Brazed my refrigerator compressor with only the info from TH-cam videos, brazing rods and a Mapp-pro torch from Lowes. Turned out perfect.
Just started as an HVAC installation helper and plan on moving up and making this a long term career. This video is such a huge help!!!!
Within 3 seconds of your video, I saw "flow with nitrogen" and you have just earned my sub. Nobody teaches that, the company that hired me from school had nobody doing it, even the "masters"... The company I'm with now, crazy. You KNOW your with real masters or listening to one, when they tell you this right stuff to do. Loving the field, and loving how much I'm learning from the true pros in the field. 3 years I'll have mastered the trade too. Guaranteed.
Standard process for all Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (MGPS). There are some very useful "tools" out there that can braze without the need for a gas torch, such as the products from Virax www.directindustry.com/prod/virax/product-8701-856275.html Whilst not regarded as essential for vacuum systems, N2 purging is certainly good practice (and provides a far greater degree of joint security resulting from less spurious oxidation)
it literally tells you what to do in the installation manuals the come with the equipment
@@princesspumpkinpanty apparently the veterans don't teach reading service and installation instructions either
Probably because the oils in old refrigerants didn’t break the carbon oxides loose, but newer oils do that… Actually, he mentioned it as I was writing this at about the 2:30 mark…
You mastered the trade yet?
I'm in school for hvac and I gotta say these videos are essential.
I’m in HVAC tech school now. How’d it go for you man?
im in hvac trade school for my certification, how did it go for you bro?
@@WhitePony556
Thanks. This is a quick and clear tutorial. It surprised me how much harder it is to braze in the field in awkward positions, rain, and wind compared to in the lab.
Deep inside a unit, replacing a reversing valve...
@@JonnyJetPilot I use an angle grinder and profanity to remove a reversing valve. The remaining bits can be heated up with the torch and removed one by one.
@@jeremymcguire7069 Yeah, it was a first for me. It looked like crap, but it's been working for a year now. I can't imagine a worse spot to work in! LOL
You do this in the rain? Welp time to replace the darn thing
nice video, a few years backI installed a unit for my son......while in HVAC wholesale asked 2-3 different techs about nitrogen trickle....all said they never bothered....only one said he would use it on large refrigeration units only....can see why things dont last,everybody just doing whats faster and easier rather than better.
I plan on doing this sh by the book!
In the real world it just doesn't happen, it's best practice but not really required for banging in splits.
Let us hope the guy before me saw this educational video and did not forget to purge, flow and melt the seal around the factory valves... do it right once and build a little confidence.
Thanks for all your great videos about hvac service, it gives tje senior technicians a place to go and wind down after a long day.
Two years, two months, two years, two months...to go. 👍🏼
one of best video to technicians related to hvac brazing work
I have found that selecting the correct tip size and setting the acetylene and oxygen pressures correctly makes a big difference in bringing the joint to temperature and getting a good braze. If the tip size is too large or the gas pressures are too high you can easily overheat the metal and melt it. At the opposite end, an undersize tip and low gas pressures may take a long time to get the joint to temperature, if at all. A poor braze will result that may have leaks.
You are great teacher I like all information from this channel
So nice of you
This channel is getting better and better, i like it thanks
your voice is very engaging, explanation very clear, your English sounds beautiful
Thanks so much for the great explanation. I've never done this before and, despite the warnings, going to attempt this on an inexpensive window unit for my van. I've tried to find an AC tech in my area that will do it for $$ but there are no takers so it's time for me to acquire a new skill.
Use a mini split specifically one that can run on 110. I believe Mitsubishi makes one.
Interesting coincidence, I came here to learn it so I could split a window unit for my van too.
I was actually looking to move my vans mini-fridge condenser to the outside of the van. Didn’t expect to see other DIY van folks in the comments!
Safe travels to all (and great informative video!)
I managed to do it with a 5000 BTU LG window unit. I had to build an enclosure for the evaporator and a drain pan with a condensation line. It works well and it's quiet. It draws about 500 Watts. My 1320 Watts of solar panels can run it all day and my 11.5kWh battery can run it all night. The hard part was finding an AC tech to recover the refrigerant and recharge it once I'd extended the lineset and reconnected them to the compressor underneath the van.
@@GalenMatson Nice! That's a huge amount of solar and battery. I'm running 920W solar and only ~3kWh battery with a 6k BTU window AC.
Hits the battery pretty hard overnight but seems to be just barely enough juice.
(The 6k BTU AC pulls around 500W - 530W before inverter losses)
The AC and Fridge compressor noises drive me crazy. Would love to have them mounted beneath the van. You probably still get some noise but I'm sure it's not much!
This is perfect for us DIY folks. Thanks
Been in the trade for 7 years plus and just started brazing. Been wanting to have that braze time but never happened til now except for a couple times. Purposely trying to fill in gaps on scrap copper, put in different positions and use various sizes
thnx so much I've been working for LG for almost 2 years and im just now getting into brazing and this video was perfect and simple to understand great stuff will subscribe 🤘🤘🤘
Loud and clear speech that I can understand easily 👍
To create a nice fillet apply your brazing alloy just after you remove your heat, it will quickly solidify creating that nice fillet at the joint boundary. Penitration is the key, but the fillet is just a visual conformation that you have a good quality joint.
Thank you for suggesting that a DIY'er not attempt this. As a DIY'er I accept your challenge. I've been emboldened to find me a torch and a bunch of copper tubing before I set my sights upon my LG Refrigerator.
Joking aside, being able to hard solder (or braze) copper tubing is a very useful DIY skill indeed. Start using 15mm water pipe, and once you've got the knack, it's like riding a bicycle - you never forget!
It goes real smoothly as long as it’s cherry 🍒 red
I burned a hole into my filter drier first time brazing. after like 2 or 3 acs I got the hang of it tho
I'm sure there are talented DIYers out there that can handle this type of work. With some practice, anyone can blaze copper tubes. Safety first, of course. People often learn from mistakes. Don't be afraid if you make mistakes.
Thanks so much for everything that you do, God bless you every minute of your life.👍🏻🙏🏼
Excellent job explaining the process!
I am totally going to braze some copper stuff this weekend, then try to see what pressures my joints fail at.
How did it go?
Hi, Is there any videos on brazing medical gas copper pipes. All principiles are mostly the same but it would be helpful if you guys can also include it along with your HVAC. This will immensely help.
Thank you for the great video! Question for all you pros outthere; how far away do you hold the flame from the copper? I understand there are many variables to this question.
Don't be intimidated. It's not that hard to learn. All of my techs learned it in a matter of minutes. I've been in business for 33 years.
This is the best life advice in any service trade. Don’t be intimidated I struggled with this initially but once I realized I just needed to approach with confidence and trust the process all has been well!
@@weStayModest 100% (maintenance technician of 10 + years and I’m still doing my best to remind myself this) .
Yep. Everything is fixable.
How in the hell can you learn how to properly braze in a couple minutes? So many incompetent people out here making money 💰.
Agreed it’s super easy the second you understand. Knowing your heat/flame is essential
While soldering/brazing copper when you think you have it clean enough clean it again! This from a 30+ year tech.
I learned at the top company here , to soft solder , I know how to braze but I still love soft soldering most my joints if it’s not inside the condenser
Great video. When I’m swaging a pipe, should I aim for a real tight joint? If it’s to tight will filler material still be drawn into joint? Thanks for video. Only one I found that mentions that joint should be tight.
Another side note for this video is that WESTERN ENTERPRISES makes a very good Nitrogen regulator- the VN-500 that actually has Purge/Flow/test pressure settings exactly made for brazing properly. I also use their internally regulated Oxy Acetylene regulators as well and they are amazing.
Excellent tutorial!
I'm specifically looking at these videos as a refresher before I DIY. My problem is that the reputable companies are solid booked 3 months in the future and aren't taking new customers. The ones that have time aren't willing to do what I want because all they'll get paid is labor. No commission or markups because I already bought my supplies. This isn't rocket science. Purge, Braze it, pressure test, pull a vacuum, charge it, check subcool. Plus, I get to keep the tools I bought for future projects. It's a win-win. I really hate the elitist mentality some technicians have, like other people can't read, watch videos and learn. Guess how they teach people in HVAC school? A lot of reading, watching videos, and a lab to practice what they're learning.The tip about practicing on some copper pipe beforehand is really good advice and a good confidence builder. I've got Argon which I'll be using to purge, since I already have a tank and regulator for it. Another cool thing to try if you like welding is TIG brazing. Check out This Old Tony's videos.
Another awesome training video, Thank you
Good job 👍 and great exploration
Fun story.... I'm just a home owner that read the install manual for our new AC unit.
HVAC guys come out to install....I ask them...are you going to flow nitrogen while you braze? Installers said I've been doing this for 20 years and never heard of that.
Company owner came out to do the install and show his installers how to do it.
Unfortunately, there are many "old school" guys that are reluctant to change or improving. Also, there are many "new school" guys that just think that they know it all. Both are too lazy to actually look for the information themselves so that they are educated. I've encountered both through my career. When I'm debating them I'll say "can you show me the technical literature or in a trade school book to prove you're correct?" To this day, not one of them has brought me any documentation to prove their point. I'll gladly show them the documentation to prove that my point is backed up by credible literature and not just hearsay. There are many installers and service technicians that refuse to read an install manual even though there are significant differences in the installation of some equipment. Drives me nuts! Good for you to get them to do it correctly.
Should of asked the owner where did he find this tech. I have two relatives who hired a independent contractor to do Heat pump change outs. The new change outs didn't last longer than six years! I'm suspecting he did not use nitrogen!
Nobody uses nitrogen for simple units, it's not really required and I bet you aren't willing to pay extra for someone to go to those lengths.
@@Neishy4AGTE Then why did the installation manual list that as a required step? Sure seems required.
I am paying for a professional to offer a professional service which means - follow the directions. Not take short cuts to increase their profits.
@@Neishy4AGTE need the nitrogen to pressure test anyway. Why not do it to braze?
lol, I am watching this because I want to work on my DIY
Great vid Brian I am going to share with the whole company. It makes me crazy to watch someone not deburr a 1/4” line after cutting with a dull tubing cutter that feeds a 15kbtu fan coil off the BC. What’s the actual diameter, 1/8”????
The other thing I noticed, is how much quicker and deeper the vacuum decay test works on a system where nitrogen was used. Also, look up the size of the stainless screen used on all these Mitsu strainers-minuscule. Can’t afford to have garbage in the lines.
Great tips. 👍🏼
Outstanding video. Thank you
Exactly what I was looking for.
Duidelijk filmpje. Dank!
Good teacher.
THAT'S COOL. AND THANKYOU FOR ALL YOURS TIPS.
Really good video,👌 👍
I’ve seen HVAC guys replace compressors on a few units and I’ve never witnessed them purge the lines with nitrogen or evac the system and pull a vacuum. Typically they change the part and put the refrigerant back into the system and they are done.
Great video what regulator u recommend to get and allso for the nitrogen and the acetylene tank regulators to??
4:05 why does it matter if you use a striker to light your torch?
So many fields to get good in my case
I have a factory joint in a 4 year old unit 410A heat pump that has a small leak. Can this be repaired with Stay Brite 8 or does it need to be taken apart, prepped and brazed?
Sharing this with the newbie for sure thanks again for a great video my guy 👍👍😎
Very good video
So what is the purpose of brazing vs soldering? I've heard you are supposed to braze flammable gas and O2 lines inside buildings so the joints won't fail in a fire, but these are outside.
As far as I know brazing and soldering are the exact same thing just different temperature ranges.
Brazing is joining two similar or dissimilar metals over 840 degrees with a fuel gas and oxygen. Anything under that temperature is soldering.
@@watcherwatchmen7785 But what are the benefits?
Soldering temps less likely to form oxides on copper..
It's all about how much pressure. Low pressure lines = solder High pressure lines above 150 psi = braze. Plumbing solders and HVAC brazes
thanks for this nice video. just wondering can we use yellow bottled mapp gas for brazing ? i used it for water pipe soldering, since it got temperature of 3700, should be enough for blazing just a little slow , right ? thanks
GREAT video!
What is the best rod for vechicle air-conditioning oxy-acetylene gas welding with a t joint
Brian, You Rule.
Awesome video with great info. One question I have is "Is there any health effects (toxins) to the silver phosphorus solder like compared to electrical soldering(cadmium, lead, etc?)" and if so will face masks/filter be required soon like as in electronics area?
I dont believe it emanates fumes when it melts. I have 6 years in HVAC and have never used a mask or experienced breathing issues from braizing clean copper.
Old used copper lines can contain burned refrigerant and old oil which is highly flammable and toxic. Be careful and never braize without a fire extinguisher and a partner!
@@GSPfan2112 : Burning old refrigerants & their lubricants (a.k.a. exposing them to an open flame) can also be equated to a 'Poor Man's Phosgene Gas' (a.k.a. Mustard Gas) and can be fatal. That gas by definition takes your body's ability to 'accept oxygen' ▪︎▪︎AWAY▪︎▪︎. True phosgene (speaking from experience) will do exactly that and so can burning refrigerants. Depending upon the amount one is subjected to by volume & body weight dictates whether one simply becomes sick and recovering rather quickly, or is restricted to watching television for the remainder of one's life ....or worse ....buried within a few days. No kidding, no joke. About the only thing more dangerous than that in the HVACR related field is working on or around Ammonia base systems (something I refused to do). (Side note: I'm a retired Assistant Director of Engineering for a local hospital having majored in Electronic Instrumentation, spanning a carrier of 30 + years in HVACR and industrial maintenance & chemical manufacturing.)
According to the Sil Fos 15 SDS, no. It consists of silver, copper and phosphorus. The phosphorus acts as a fluxing material. If you ever have any questions about the safety or precautions to be taken with any product, go to the manufacturer's website and look up the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Thank you!!!
Thanks 🙏 a million you’re dope!
I like the tools to other country unlike in the philippines no tools like that you are unit like portable acetelyne..thats why my ambition is to go other country to work and buy all good tools for aircon repair and service.
Yeah I know this question has nothing to do at all with the video but I do want to know about the phosphorus rods see I make stuff out of scrap copper and want some thing to match and I intend to use a butane torch will this be enough heat and if not what type of product could you enlighten me to
Thank you in advance
Time to make my own split.system for the garage using a old window unit with a fried control board
Question: Does the filter line dryer catch all the oxides from a vacuum comming from the coil braze, if you don't flow nitrogen from when you braze it? Some techs tell me this. Just for my sake, I want your answer.
My answer: a drier will collect almost all the contamination that builds up in a system, whether that is from poor brazing practices or from other conditions. Driers have a limited capacity and will cease to dry and/or become plugged as they clean the system. So it’s a good idea not waste your drier capacity by not purging or by not pulling a good vacuum. That way the system has a drier to clean itself up of the oil gets too hot or something else happens to cause internal contamination. That’s my two cents.
@@paulgaras2606 Thank you
@@paulgaras2606 That's a good two cents! Don't depend on a filter dryer to take up the slack for a lazy install. Take pride in a job well done and don't cause unnecessary trouble and expense for the customer. It only takes a few more minutes to do the job properly.
Another great video tank you very much.
great information
what about using CO2 instead of nitrogen? I could get n2o, but I already have the other.
Has anyone used the Diversitech nitrogen purging tool to flow nitrogen during brazing? I'm wondering if it's a good buy.
what about stay brite8 i see lots of people using it ??
Thanks for the video =)
Just use Stay-Brite 8 and Stay-Clean. Most people who braze don't use nitrogen, resulting in soot in the lines.
What do you think about diversatech brazing gauge that has 3 settings off purge braze
Harris brazing guide is gone now?
When I clicked on the video I didn’t see what channel it was coming from and I assumed it was from the engineering mind set by the image 😅
Solder with stay bright 8 and stay clean
I am retired HVAC tech, I did just trouble shooting and repairs and replacements. When soldering the dryer i ran the heat from the tubing side to the dryer and never had a burned dryer. As for the service ports again never used a ret rag or anything.. As for silver soldering, back then there was a 3 ton york unit that whistled. My boss called me in and told me I had to add mufflers to 4 units at one house, I said your full of shit.. But he was right.. I used turbo torch with a number 10 tip and sli fos 15% .. Also if I ran into different size copper and did not have the adapter so ( and not proud) put the tube inside and crimped it and filled in with the sil fos..
Awesome 👍🏼
Where can we get the cone tip for nitrogen flow for open lines that has no valve and cores ?
Wish they teached this to me at my trade school
Awesome
Hi Bryan, do you recommend using Stay-Brite 8 with Stay-Clean flux instead of brazing? So it not need of purging nitrogen? Hope to hear your thoughts.
"Don't use this as a DIY tutorial."
Me, using this as a DIY tutorial, "And I took that personally."
Good videos!!!!
OK.what gas and which torch using for brazing.How much it cost.Reply.
My reason for watching this and other utube video is that I have a ac unit and it want to turn it to a heat pump and add a water transfer unit to heat my hot water as well as one to transfer heat from and to well water and I don't want to buy a new unit starting with adding a reversing valve and diverting valves to switch from one to the other I'd rather have a professional do it but they don't make as much money per hour as they do on commission selling a new one
Super video
Need more emphasis on having a fire extinguisher standing by!
Good point
Good idea
thank you
In bahrain middle eas i m going training they first flow the n2 after brazzing and they cut cooper tube 4 inches and they chek the cooper tube from inside brazzing rod melted shoud reach into the inner side male and female joingts. Not all technians done perfects lotts people here in bahrain faile e. R. L. Exams
Thanks
Gotta use brazing flux, will make the whole brazing flux fool proof. That "draw in" is specifically called capillary action and the flux is the one which is responsible for assisting in "draw in" (capillary action). Never rely with the incorporated flux in the brazing material because it sucks, always use a brazing flux designed specifically for the metal(s) in question.
Any specific flux to braze with?
Cant I just autogenously TIG weld copper?
Good info
THOSE hvac HAIR CUTS :)
Detail no given below.
Had to light a torch with a grinder and a peice of unistrut because someone jacked our striker. Grinder and the strut make enough sparks that my partner could light it
Remember, safety third. First think of your customer, next think about your price, then protect yourself
The flame is too big heating larger area than needed and lets copper to be heated more than it should .
I gotta say that wet rag sucks cleaning afterwards, tradituinal wet rags cut to right size works the best, wet rag stuff is really good for watercooled like trane tiny ptacs reversing valves, txvs etc..botgerwise I wouldn't use that sruff on anythibg large
Nice